Donna Ensor reads aloud a long list of names as auxiliary Const. Derek Brand drives. Karen Crowther shuffles through a stack of Christmas cards in envelopes.
Ensor and Crowther are volunteers with the Keep in Touch program. Monday to Friday, volunteers call all 37 senior participants.
Each year in December, KIT volunteers bring a poinsettia, chocolate and card to everyone in the program.
Stopping at the Prince Edward Lodge on Station Avenue, Brand and Ensor carry poinsettias and Crowther brings cards and a handful of Lindt chocolates.
The three women waiting are visibly excited to see the people they talk to nearly everyday on the phone.
B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 hear very well and I donB次元官网网址檛 see very well. I like this program, itB次元官网网址檚 nice because I donB次元官网网址檛 talk to many people,B次元官网网址� said Anna Burchill, 89. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 the only plant I get,B次元官网网址� she added of the visit and delivery. B次元官网网址淚 treasure this stuff.B次元官网网址�
Cherishing the company, Burchill shares stories from her past of cross-country skiing to school in Saskatchewan B次元官网网址渨hen the snow was too deep to walk.B次元官网网址� She also talks of her love of dancing that began when she was seven.
B次元官网网址淭hey treat us like real people when other people donB次元官网网址檛. They are nice and polite,B次元官网网址� says Mickey Champman, 84, excited to match faces to the voices she hears on the phone.
As the volunteers leave the lodge and head back to the van to make more deliveries, Doris Peacman, 84, says good-bye.
B次元官网网址淭hank you so much, you leave us with such big smiles,B次元官网网址� she adds.
While making their rounds, Ensor and Crowther know who will be home, for example one lady goes swimming every Friday morning.
While a few minutes on the phone my be nothing to some people, it means the world to participants and volunteers. Especially at Christmas.
B次元官网网址淥ne day a lady was in tears and asked me how much she owed me (for the plant). I said it was a gift,B次元官网网址� says Ensor.
B次元官网网址淪ome of them this is the only thing they get,B次元官网网址� Crowther adds. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a rough time for them.B次元官网网址�
KIT volunteers also send out birthday cards throughout the year and offer an annual spring tea. To sign up for the KIT program call 250-474-8791 or to volunteer call 250-474-2264.
